Stage is set for exciting finals at Short Track World Cup 1

Beijing, China. September 18, 2009

 U.S. short track speedskaters blew away the competition during the preliminary rounds and heats of the Ladies and Men’s 1000m at the ISU World Cup I in Beijing, China.

Three-time U.S. champion Katherine Reutter (Champaign, IL), two-time Olympian Allison Baver (Sinking Spring, PA) and Jessica Smith (Melvindale, MI) put in strong performances to win their preliminary rounds in the 1000m. They moved on to the 1000m heats where Reutter took first in her race and Smith took second in her heat. Baver got boxed in during her race and did not qualify. Both Reutter and Smith move on to the 1000m quarterfinals that will be skated on Sunday, September 20.

Not to be outdone, the U.S. men each earned their spots in the 1000m quarter-finals with two-time Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno (Seattle, WA) winning both his preliminary and heat. 2006 Olympian Anthony Lobello (Tallahassee, FL) and 2010 Olympic Team nominee Travis Jayner (Midland, MI) also move on in the 1000m.           

Always strong in the relay, the U.S. Men’s and Ladies’ teams both advance following their heats. During the Ladies 3000m Relay semi-finals, Reutter, Baver, Smith and Alyson Dudek (Hales Corner, WI) moved the team into the A Final where Reutter, Dudek, Kimberly Derrick (Memphis, TN) and Lana Gehring (Glenview, IL) will skate for the gold on Sunday.      

The Men’s 5000m Relay team in the quarter-finals consisted of Ohno, Jayner, Jeff Simon (Las Vegas, NV) and Jordan Malone (Denton, TX). Although the U.S. men trailed the majority of the race, they turned it on in a furious finish to edge out Canada and China. They are now qualified for the semi-finals scheduled for Sunday. 

Skating continues on Saturday with quarter-, semi- and final events in both the Men’s and Ladies 500m and 1500m. For complete results, visit the US Speedskating Results Page at www.usspeedskating.org or follow US Speedskating on Twitter @usspeedskating for up-to-the-minute competition updates and results. The US Speedskating Community page, Up to Speed, also carries results, photos and information.

Tags: Allison Baver, Alyson Dudek , Apolo Anton Ohno, Jeff Simon , Jessica Smith , Jordan Malone, Katherine Reutter, Kimberly Derrick, Lana Gehring, Short Track, Travis Jayner, USA Speed Skating, USA Speedskating, Vancouver 2010